What about the babies? A critical review of infants’ and toddlers’ absence in homelessness scholarship

Fanning, Kerrie A.

doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2021.101625

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Despite the stunning prevalence of homelessness among very young children, there is a notable lack of research on risk, resilience, and developmental well-being of infants who experience family homelessness (Fanning, 2021; Haskett et al, 2015; Herbers, Cutuli, Fugo, et al, 2020; Shaw, 2019). Infants who experience family homelessness are at elevated risk for health problems, developmental delays, and social–emotional difficulties compared to nonhomeless peers (Cutts et al, 2018; Fanning, 2021; Haskett et al, 2015). Considering the larger evidence base showing poor outcomes among older children experiencing family homeless (Bassuk et al, 2020; Haskett & Armstrong, 2019; Herbers, Cutuli, Keane, & Leonard, 2020), along with the fact that infancy is a particularly sensitive period of developmental neuroplasticity (Shonkoff & Garner, 2012), there is a clear need for more and better information about risk and resilience factors for infants experiencing homelessness.…”

Section: Adaptive Systems For Resilience In Families Experiencing Hom...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adaptive Systems For Resilience In Families Experiencing Hom...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social support as a resilience factor for parent–infant dyads experiencing homelessness.

Herbers¹,

Tabachnick²,

Hayes³

et al. 2023

Journal of Family Psychology

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Despite the considerable prevalence of homelessness among very young children in the United States, there is a notable lack of research on risk, resilience, and developmental well-being of infants who experience family homelessness. In the present study, we considered social support as a resilience factor for quality of parent-infant relationships and parent depression among a sample of 106 parents and their infants (ages birth to 12 months) residing in emergency shelters for families experiencing homelessness. We assessed social support, parent histories of adverse experiences during childhood and adulthood, and parent current depression symptoms via structured interview measures, and we assessed quality of the parent-infant relationship with an observational approach. Results showed different patterns for the roles of adversity the parents had experienced during childhood compared to adversity experienced more recently, as adults. Childhood adversity predicted parent-infant responsiveness, with a positive association that was moderated by level of perceived social support. Parents with more childhood adversity showed more responsiveness with their infants only when they had access to high levels of social support. Adulthood adversity predicted higher scores for parent depression, while social support predicted lower parent depression scores. This work contributes to the very limited literature on the functioning of families with infants in shelters. Our discussion includes implications for research, policy, and prevention and intervention efforts.

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Section: Adaptive Systems For Resilience In Families Experiencing Hom...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adaptive Systems For Resilience In Families Experiencing Hom...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support as a resilience factor for parent–infant dyads experiencing homelessness.

Herbers¹,

Tabachnick²,

Hayes³

et al. 2023

Journal of Family Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Poor outcomes for U.S. children experiencing family homelessness have been documented across developmental domains of physical health, mental health, social-emotional development, and academic achievement (Bassuk et al, 2020; Haskett & Armstrong, 2019; Herbers, Cutuli, Keane, et al, 2020; Masten et al, 2014). Less is known about the well-being of young children specifically (birth through age 5 years) with the largest knowledge gaps for infants and toddlers who stay in family shelter (Fanning, 2021; Haskett et al, 2016; Herbers, Cutuli, Fugo, et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Families with young children in homeless shelters: Developmental contexts of multisystem risks and resources

Cutuli,

Herbers,

Vrabic

et al. 2023

Dev Psychopathol

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We apply a multisystem perspective to three aims relevant to resilience for young children in emergency and transitional homeless shelters. We consider profiles of risks and resources before shelter, early childhood program enrollment during shelter, and the likelihood of returning to shelter or having a subsequent child welfare placement. We used longitudinal, city-wide data from multiple sources integrated at the individual level across the lifespan for 8 birth cohorts. Young children (N = 1,281) stayed in family shelters during an 18-month period during a multisystem intervention. Risk factor rates were high as were rates of early childhood program enrollment (66.1% in any program; 42.3% in a high-quality program), which may suggest positive effects of the multisystem intervention. Multilevel latent class analysis revealed four profiles, considering prior shelter stays, prior child welfare placements, prior elevated lead levels, perinatal factors (teenage mother, prenatal care, low maternal education, and poor birth outcomes), demographics, and early childhood program enrollment and quality. One profile with higher rates of child welfare placement before the shelter stay and considerable enrollment in high-quality early childhood programs corresponded to lower rates of subsequent child welfare placement. Profiles did not differ on the likelihood of returning to shelter.

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“…Research suggests the risk factors associated with homelessness go above and beyond those associated with poverty alone. Despite this evidence, there remains limited research regarding infants and toddlers who experience homelessness and the developmental appropriateness of shelter environments in which these young children are living (Fanning, 2021; Haskett et al, 2015; Volk et al, 2022). The current study involves both quantitative and qualitative components to assess aspects of developmental appropriateness of US shelter spaces for children ages birth to 5 years, with an emphasis on staff knowledge, parenting programmes, and play spaces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family homeless shelters as contexts for early childhood development: Shelter resources and staff capacity

Halverson,

Wallace,

Tebepah

et al. 2023

Child & Family Social Work

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Family homeless shelters are critical contexts in which many young children develop; however, little is known about the developmental appropriateness of these settings, including their resources and the capacity of their staff to effectively meet the needs of the children and families they serve. The current study involves both quantitative and qualitative components to assess aspects of developmental appropriateness of US shelter spaces for children ages birth to 5 years, with an emphasis on staff knowledge, parenting programmes, and play spaces. Participants were 64 staff working in different family homeless shelters representing all 10 Housing and Urban Development regions. Data were collected via semistructured phone interviews. Results indicated that most shelters offered some type of parenting programme (65.5%) and had some developmentally appropriate space for families with young children (87.5%); however, the nature of these spaces and programmes varied considerably, with very few respondents describing use of evidence‐based practices. Findings on knowledge of early child development among shelter staff indicated substantial need for trainings on a range of topics, including typical child development, parent–child relationships, and impacts of trauma on families with young children. Furthermore, we identified a need for better measurement tools to assess knowledge of child development.

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What about the babies? A critical review of infants’ and toddlers’ absence in homelessness scholarship

Cited by 8 publications

References 58 publications

Social support as a resilience factor for parent–infant dyads experiencing homelessness.

Social support as a resilience factor for parent–infant dyads experiencing homelessness.

Families with young children in homeless shelters: Developmental contexts of multisystem risks and resources

Family homeless shelters as contexts for early childhood development: Shelter resources and staff capacity

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